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MUSICAL CHAIRMANSHIP: Transportation watchers survived the great purge of 2010, when Rep. Chip Cravaack knocked off T&I Chairman Jim Oberstar and the House flipped to Republican control, elevating then-ranking member John Mica to the chairmanship. The House is less likely to flip again and make Dem Nick Rahall the chair, but the committee still has plenty of churn ahead this winter. Mica is term-limited from being the top Republican on the panel, and though he may apply for a waiver or seek a different gavel, everyone and their mother’s mother expects Bill Shuster to take control of T&I next year. Shuster’s promotion from the railroads panel would have further ramifications.

Panel posturing: With Tom Petri (Aviation) and Jim Duncan (Highways & Transit) also hitting their three-term limits, that means the most desirable panels on T&I are up for grabs. It appears quiet jockeying has already begun for the coveted slots. Frank LoBiondo is said to be peeking at the Aviation post, while Petri may want to reprise his role overseeing surface transportation again. And word on East Capitol Street is that Spencer Bachus is considering a return to T&I as he runs into a term limit atop Financial Services. Of course, lips are sealed on official plans to run for each position, but one thing’s for sure: T&I in the 113th will look plenty different than the 112th edition. Burgess, Kathryn and Adam bring it on home: http://politico.pro/Sxa3oC

CONGESTION IN THE AIR: A bill opposing the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme has drawn some objections from House Democrats, meaning it likely won’t be fast-tracked before the election. Senior aides in both parties acknowledge the objections to passing it during one of the many upcoming pro forma sessions, though top T&I Dem Nick Rahall is supportive of the Senate’s changes and wants the bill approved. And surprising nobody, the parties blame each other for the impasse. “If the Republican leadership really cared about this bill, they could have moved it under a rule instead of going home to campaign,” a senior Democratic aide said. But a GOP aide noted that some environmental groups support the new version before saying “if it's OK by them, but still not good enough for House Dems, one has to wonder what would be good enough for those guys.” Team MT brings it: http://politico.pro/Qxjfxv

HAPPY ENACTMENT DAY! Most of the new transportation policies in MAP-21 take effect today, the first day of fiscal year 2013. DOT isn’t wasting any time — it’s putting out a proposed rule today that would follow MAP’s guidance to give categorical exclusions from environmental reviews to emergency repair projects caused by natural disasters (think when flooding wipes out a road). The agency had all month to put it out, but it’ll easily beat the deadline with publication in today’s Federal Register. The notice (http://bit.ly/S6x0Fh) also asks for comments on what other types of projects should get categorical exclusions. Commenters have 60 days to respond. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called the law “a new transportation era” in a blog post about the changes coming today and how DOT prepared for them (http://1.usa.gov/S6w6su).

What do you think? See the new MT poll below for your chance to grade the bill.

REBRANDED: The Interactive Travel Services Association, which represents independent travel companies — think Expedia and Orbitz — has a new name and logo. The group announces today that it will go by Travel Tech: The Travel Technology Association. A new and redesigned website, www.traveltechnologyassociation.org, includes “information about the industry, the policy priorities and important educational and advocacy information,” the group says in a release going out today.

A NEW FALL LOOK: The DOT website got a spiffy new makeover — but it’s not all about looks. The agency says the new site is designed to let everyone — the public and transportation agencies — get information easily. Public input and testing was part of the process, too. DOT says it’s designed to do three key things: “To help each visitor find what they need as easily as possible … To make the most popular resources more accessible … To arrange our resources in line with how users think about transportation.” Look for more info in a release out later today.

HOUSE PASSES MILITARY CDL BILL: During a brief pro forma session Friday, the House passed a Senate bill (S. 3624) that lets states issue commercial driver’s licenses to military personnel stationed in the state. It now goes to the White House for President Barack Obama’s signature, which is expected. Before passage, Rep. Larry Bucshon, who sponsored an identical House version along with Mike Quigley and John Carney, put out a list of supporting statements from trucking companies and veterans (http://1.usa.gov/V5BpqY). MT would like to point out this bill was on the serious fast track and will probably be signed within just a few days of its introduction in both chambers.

RESET THE COUNTDOWN: President Obama signed the CR on Friday, meaning the government will keep running — and DOT can keep at it — through March 27. While its funding comes in just below what was assumed in MAP-21, drawing the ire of the three Senate Dem chairs who were highly involved in the law’s writing, it was the result of a rare congressional deal done well ahead of time — and it punts any further funding decisions until the 113th Congress.

DOLLARS AND SENS: D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, a senior T&I member, will have an A-list cast at a Capitol Hill fundraiser on Oct. 4. Scheduled to attend: Former speakers Tom Foley and Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Mary Landrieu, former Sen. Chris Dodd and former D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams. Suggested contributions range from $250-2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for PACs. A tipster who passed along the invite said the transportation industry supports Norton due to her leadership on Union Station, Amtrak and transit-oriented development, which has swept the District in recent years. The invite: http://bit.ly/V5Xu91

RALLY. REALLY? A Senate aide emailed MT fairly unimpressed with Rep. Chip Cravaack’s appearance at a trucker rally in Minnesota, when he vowed to push for heavier trucks to be allowed on Minnesota interstates. “Interesting that Cravaack can stand in solidarity with truckers when this pilot program was never in the House bill, nor was it included in the Senate bill. And it was never seriously discussed or considered to be included in the final conference package,” the aide writes. “Bet it made for a great photo-op, though.”

TRIBUNE’S HSR TAKEDOWN: The Chicago Tribune’s editorial board ripped into the debate over 110 vs. 125 mph for high-speed trains on Friday. “We suspect there is some train envy going on here. In Europe and Asia, trains routinely travel much faster than 110 or 125. The politically powerful supporters of high-speed rail in America are determined to build a world-class system, not some putt-putt version available at a lower price.” The board’s scathing takeaway: “Yes, you can get angry now. Why in the world did the U.S. rush to pour billions of dollars into sort-of-high-speed rail before it was settled on how fast the trains should go?” http://trib.in/V5Hvrt

Serendipitously: A Chicago-based manufacturer is in the final stages of bidding on building 130 high-speed cars for routes in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and California. Trib: http://trib.in/PdtKkZ

All’s fare in Chicagoland: CTA and Pace are bringing contactless fare (a la SmarTrip) to the L and city and suburban bus service, called “Ventra,” which also will include the option to use the personal credit and debit cards with chips that can pay fares as well as other purchases. The system should launch next summer. More info here: http://bit.ly/NTtb3S

AN EXCUSE TO USE THE WORD ‘STADIA’: AAR is out with a pair of ads this morning touting the $23 billion freight rail plans to spend on building, maintaining and upgrading the U.S. freight network — all of course, with no taxpayer funding. We’re suckers for the D.C.-centric 15-second blast, which tallies $23 billion as equal to building four Nationals Stadia, five Wilson Bridges and eight Washington Convention Centers. How many new Metrorail lines though? Check out the ads: http://bit.ly/SpYOmq

GLASS NEAR EMPTY: MT readers don’t see a big transportation deal as part of a potential “grand bargain” Congress may make in the lame duck to avoid sequestration and deal with tax policy. Just 18 percent of you said it would be part of a deal or even come up in the conversation. A majority said no: 36 percent believe D.C. won’t touch the issue until either the Highway Trust Fund expires or the new law runs out, while 30 percent say it’s not high-profile enough. The “maybes” took 16 percent of the vote.

NEW MT POLL — Grade MAP-21: Most of the bill’s policy changes kick in today. How are you celebrating? Or are you holding a wake for what could have been a longer-term bill with major funding increases? Maybe you’re indifferent and just glad that Congress passed something in an election year. Our polls are anonymous so tell us what you really think of MAP-21 before Sunday at noon: http://bit.ly/UT8o3g

THE AUTOBAHN (SPEED READ)

- Bipartisan trio of local Virginia pols writes that the state needs a transportation funding plan. WaPo: http://wapo.st/NZzOSq

BATTLE CONTINUES FOR HSR IN CALI: The chairman of the board responsible for executing California’s plan to build a fast train network told MT last week that despite a feeling of positive momentum throughout the organization, “there are still opponents out there. I think we have breached a couple of trenches … and people are falling back to different trenches.” That extends to media quick to jump on the project’s $68 billion cost. “Fox News L.A. is doing like a 20-part series on this. We’re battling to make sure it’s actually ‘fair and balanced,’” he said, referring to the cable network’s trademark slogan. “You can quote me on that,” he added. Done.

THE COUNTDOWN: DOT funding runs out in 178 days, passenger rail policy in 365 days, surface transportation policy in 730 days and FAA policy in 1,095 days. There are 36 days before the general election, and the 113th Congress convenes in 97 days.

TOYOTA TEAM: As car manufacturers navigate between driver safety and consumer demand, Toyota says it is positioning itself strategically. The company just created a National Manager of Technology and Innovation Policy and brought on Hilary Cain of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology to fill that role. “As cars are becoming more and more technologically advanced, I think there was recognition within the company that we’re going to start getting into areas not traditionally involved with when it comes to policy making,” she told Jessica. That means wading into the legal boundaries and security concerns of in-car technologies. It also indicates just how aware car manufacturers are of potential minefields.

WAY WITH WORDS: After the release of $40 million for signaling improvements on Northern California’s Caltrain, Rep. Jackie Speier landed a hot new nickname on the improving rail system: “The Silicon Bullet.” Mercury News: http://bit.ly/RnHPAo

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